Sylvie Althoff, author of “The Visitor” in The Future Fire #75, joins us to talk about writing, time travel and other decisions for today’s microinterview.
TFF: What does “The Visitor” mean to you?
Art © 2026 Leyelle M.G.
Sylvie Althoff: “The Visitor” was a hugely important story in my understanding of my own identity as a writer and a trans woman. I’ve had to do a lot of reflection on my own actions, in my past and to this day, and I struggle to forgive myself for my mistakes in the past while holding myself to a higher standard moving forward. “The Visitor” put a lot of my mid-transition queries and arguments into words. I hope it crosses the path of someone who’s struggled with the same kind of questions (or someone who’s asking those questions right now); more than that, I hope it helps that person choose a happier future for themselves.
TFF: Have you ever wished to go back in time, to change one thing?
SA: Every trans person has wished they could go back in time to change exactly one thing. Every trans person who reflects on the question longer realizes that they’re better in almost every conceivable way for not being able to go back in time.
TFF: Who is your favorite groundbreaking woman author?
SA: It’s impossible to pick just one, but a current favorite of mine is Charlie Jane Anders. She has such a sharp understanding of our community’s history, and her novels’ plotting and pacing are damn near miraculous.
TFF: What is the most important thing to remember about writing?
SA: You have to write your worst stories first. Get those out of the way, and then you can start writing your good stuff.
TFF: What are you working on next?
SA: I’m working on my first novel! I’m currently struggling to marry my lifelong love of worldbuilding with my aspirations toward fun, snappy capers. Expect it on bookshelves in all of the better timelines.
Extract:
Over the long, long minutes I spent waiting there, I found myself inspecting the smears and streaks across the glass. I tried not to imagine what exhortations of the human spirit had left these traces, what fluids, what sounds.
I wondered if any of those ghostly remnants were left by Marcus.
Reminder: You can comment on any of the writing or art in this issue at http://press.futurefire.net/2026/02/new-issue-202675.html.
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